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You admire, Vacerra, only the poets of old and praise only those who are dead. Pardon me, I beseech you, Vacerra, if I think death too high a price to pay for your praise.

Martial

If your slave commits a fault, do not smash his teeth with your fists; give him some of the (hard) biscuit which famous Rhodes has sent you.
MARTIAL

Biscuit Commitment Mistake Slave Yourself
Every epigram should resemble a bee; it should have sting, honey, and brevity.
MARTIAL

Honey Similar
You complain, friend Swift, of the length of my epigrams, but you yourself write nothing. Yours are shorter.
MARTIAL

Friendship Short Writing Yourself
To be able to enjoy one’s past life is to live twice.
MARTIAL

Enjoyment Life Live Past
She grieves sincerely who grieves unseen.
MARTIAL

Grief Herself Sincere Unknown
Givers of great dinners know few enemies.
MARTIAL

Enemy Food Greatness
The African lions rush to attack bulls; they do not attack butterflies.
MARTIAL

Advice Attack Deep Lion Rush
There is nothing more revolting than an old busybody.
MARTIAL

Body Old Revolution
No amount of misfortune will satisfy the man who is not satisfied with reading a hundred epigrams.
MARTIAL

Misfortune Reading Satisfaction
Genuine is the sorrow endured without anyone else knowing about it.
MARTIAL

Endurance Genuine Known Sorrow
Why do strong arms fatigue themselves with frivolous dumbbells? To dig a vineyard is worthier exercise for men.
MARTIAL

Arms Exercise Man Strong Worthy
Believing hear, what you deserve to hear: Your birthday as my own to me is dear. But yours gives most; for mine did only lend Me to the world; yours gave to me a friend.
MARTIAL

Believe Deserve Myself World
You ask what a nice girl will do? She won’t give an inch, but she won’t say no.
MARTIAL

Herself Woman
Too late is tomorrow’s life; live for today.
MARTIAL

Day Life Present
The present joys of life we doubly taste, By looking back with pleasure to the past.
MARTIAL

Doubt Ourselves Pleasure Present Taste
Man loves malice, but not against one-eyed men nor the unfortunate, but against the fortunate and proud.
MARTIAL

Eyes Love Man Proud Unfortunate
They let out on hire their passions and eloquence. [Referring to lawyers.]
MARTIAL

Elegant Hire Passion
I would not miss your face, your neck, your hands, your limbs, your bosom and certain other of your charms. Indeed, not to become boring by naming them all, I could do without you, Chloe, altogether.
MARTIAL

Boredom Face Love Missing Myself Togetherness
My poems are naughty, but my life is pure.
MARTIAL

Life Naughty Poem Purity
I have granted you much that you asked: and yet you never cease to ask of me. He who refuses nothing, Atticilla, will soon have nothing to refuse.
MARTIAL

Gratitude Greedy Myself Refusal
Life is not living, but living in health.
MARTIAL

Health Life Live One Liner
Who gives to friends so much from Fate secures, That is the only wealth for ever yours.
MARTIAL

Fate Friendship Secure Wealth Yourself
Wine and women bring misery.
MARTIAL

Alcohol Misery Wine
A man who lives everywhere lives nowhere.
MARTIAL

Deep Existence Live Man
Some things are good, some middling, more bad.
MARTIAL

Bad Goodness
Epigrams need no crier, but are content with their own tongue.
MARTIAL

Content Language Need
A fisherman’s walk: three steps and overboard.
MARTIAL

Man Walk

You admire, Vacerra, only the poets of old and praise only those who are dead. Pardon me, I beseech you, Vacerra, if I think death too high a price to pay for your praise.

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You admire, Vacerra, only the poets of old and praise only those who are dead. Pardon me, I beseech you, Vacerra, if I think death too high a price to pay for your praise.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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